The Work-In: Daily Motivation 3-23-2021

 Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Today's Gift

We need to know how far we'll go, and how far we'll allow others to go with us. Once we understand this, we can go anywhere. —Beyond Codependency

Flack from Setting Boundaries

When we own our power to take care of ourselves - set a boundary, say no, and change an old pattern - we may get flack from some people. That's okay. We don't have to let their reactions control us, stop us, or influence our decision to take care of ourselves.

We don't have to control their reactions to our process of self-care. That is not our responsibility. We don't have to expect them not to react either.

People will react when we do things differently or take assertive action to nurture ourselves, particularly if our decision in some way affects them. Let them have their feelings. Let them have their reactions. But continue on your course anyway.

If people are used to us behaving in a certain way, they'll attempt to convince us to stay that way to avoid changing the system. If people are used to us saying yes all the time, they may start mumbling and murmuring when we say no. If people are used to us taking care of their responsibilities, feelings, and problems, they may give us some flack when we stop. That's normal. We can learn to live with a little flack in the name of healthy self-care. Not abuse, mind you flack.

If people are used to controlling us through guilt, bullying, and badgering, they may intensify their efforts when we change and refuse to be controlled. That's okay. That's flack too.

We don't have to let flack pull us back into old ways if we've decided we want and need to change. We don't have to react to flack or give it much attention. It doesn't deserve it. It will die down.

Today, I will disregard any flack I receive for changing my behaviors or making other efforts to be myself.

From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie ©

From: Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation - Thought for the Day http://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/recovery/thought-for-the-day

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Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Keep It Simple

If anything, we have tended to be people who have wanted it all now. To hope is not to demand. ---On hope

Maybe we were a bit demanding. Maybe we were a bit impatient. Maybe that’s why we such little hope.

Hope is believing good will, even in bad times. Hope is knowing that “this too, shall pass.” Hope is knowing that no mater how afraid we are, our Higher Power will be with us. Hope is knowing we never have to be alone again. It is knowing that time is o our side. Hope is giving up control. Hope is knowing we never had control in the first place. Hope is believing in ourselves. Hope is what our program is all about.

Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, in our program we share our experiences, our strengths, and our hopes. Thank you for giving all three of these to me to share.

Action for the Day: I will share my hope for the future with myself, my Higher Power, and my friends. I also will share this with someone who has lost hope.

From: Bluidkiti's Alcohol and Drug Addictions Recovery Help/Support Forums Daily Recovery Readings - http://www.bluidkiti.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=2

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One Day At A Time

A Genuine Reliance
For just so long as we were convinced that we could live exclusively by our
own individual strength and intelligence, for just that long was a working faith
in a Higher Power impossible. This was true even when we believed that a Higher Power
existed. We could actually have earnest religious beliefs which remained barren
because we were still trying to play God ourselves. As long as we placed self-
reliance first, a genuine reliance upon a Higher Power was out of the question.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Seven) p. 72

Thought to Ponder
I can't do Their will my way.

AA-related 'Alconym'
E G O = Edging God Out

From: AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) http://www.aa-alive.net/index.html

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Daily Motivation

Excerpt of The Daily Motivator

Live with excellence

by Ralph Marston

Stop needing permission and stop needing approval. Start acting from your own highest convictions.

Stop worrying so much about what other people might or might not think. Start living without compromise and with positive purpose.

Stop waiting for everything to be perfect. Start making good and meaningful use of all you have.

Let yourself be driven forward by your highest dreams. Feel the fears and learn from them, but don’t let yourself be held back by them.

Let go of your need to control those around you. Experience the power and effectiveness that come from controlling and disciplining yourself.

Live intentionally, on purpose, with the utmost sincerity and authenticity. Live this day and every day with the excellence you know you deserve.

From The Daily Motivator website at http://greatday.com/